Army Amateur Radio Station in Iraq Seeks American Military Personnel to Lead Station

Army Captain Jeff Hammer,YI9IC/N9NIC, the custodian of the Baghdad Amateur Radio Society (BARS), is due to come home after a nine month tour of duty with the Indiana National Guard. "I need someone I can turn the BARS station over to," he said. "Please assist me in finding other Amateur Radio operators in or coming to Iraq."

Hammer, a military intelligence officer who previously served in Afghanistan, took over the club leadership last spring from Army Major Scott Hedberg, AD7MI, when Hedberg returned to the US. Since his arrival in April 2008, Hammer has mentored half a dozen service members for their licenses and led the station's first ARRL Field Day operation. "We enjoy learning about radio and talking with unique people in unique places," he said. "We've been excited to talk to many stations back in the U.S."

Hammer said it can get busy, too, handling MARSgrams between soldiers and their families during holidays. BARS members operate under the Army call sign AEN5NAA relaying soldier messages through MARS WinLink stations in Qatar or Germany.

Keeping the club active is a challenge in the face of constant troop rotation, Hammer said. "Operating Amateur Radio in camp is fairly easy, as long as you ask your commander and don't cause interference," he said. "If you know of any hams deploying to Iraq, contact me as soon as possible to coordinate the transfer of equipment and discuss licensing procedures." Hammer can be reached via e-mail.